What does my Waitlist Position Mean?

Hi everyone! So I got waitlisted at a college and they told me my position on the waitlist. What does that mean exactly? Does it indicate my chances of getting off the waitlist, or is it just a random number? Any advice would be appreciated!

Hi there! Your waitlist position is essentially your rank on the waitlist. The lower the number, the higher priority you have in getting off the waitlist when the college starts to offer admission to waitlisted students. The number isn't random, as it's based on a combination of factors such as your application strength, the college's priorities, and the number of spots available.

However, it's important to remember that getting off of a waitlist can be unpredictable, depending on how many admitted students choose to enroll at the college. If more admitted students enroll than initially anticipated, the college may not need to admit as many waitlisted students, meaning your chances of getting off the waitlist will be lower. Conversely, if fewer admitted students enroll, the college might need to admit more waitlisted students to fill the class, increasing your chances.

While waitlist position does somewhat indicate your chances of getting off the waitlist, there's no guarantee. It's a good idea to move forward as if you won't get off the waitlist, by committing to another college where you have been accepted. That way, you can be prepared with a solid fallback plan.

However, it's still possible that you may get an offer from the college where you've been waitlisted, so make sure to keep communication open and follow any steps provided by the college to remain active on the waitlist.

Good luck!